These signed jerseys, along with the exclusive Oakley glasses worn on the ride and engraved ABUS padlocks (each featuring a rider's name and signature), will be auctioned on Catawiki.
Auction runs from 21 July - August 3.
About
the
charity
A tribute to the French cycling legend Raymond Poulidor, Mathieu van der Poel's grandfather.
mer
ci
pou
pou
In 2021, Mathieu van der Poel embarked on his first Tour de France, fully stepping into the footsteps of his grandfather, Poulidor. Unfortunately, Poulidor, who participated in the Tour a remarkable 50 times (14 times as a rider, 36 times as part of the Tour de France caravan), had passed away and could not witness his grandson's debut.
To honour this symbolic moment and the legacy of the iconic Poulidor, the Merci Poupou project was established. In 2021, Mathieu van der Poel and his teammates showed up on the starting podium wearing purple and yellow Alpecin-Fenix jerseys inspired by 'Mercier,' the team Poulidor raced for. These special edition jerseys were sold, with the proceeds going to various organisations and charities.
Merci Poupou has since become the charitable arm of Alpecin-Deceuninck, making annual contributions to various causes through different initiatives. Merci Poupou symbolises how sport unites people across generations, how grandparents pass on their love for sport to their grandchildren, and how lifelong memories are created. Merci Poupou aims to inspire the next generation to embrace cycling and sports in general, encouraging them to stay active.
Over the years, the funds raised have been donated to various organisations that provide opportunities for children and young adults to engage in sports (in the broadest sense), recover from injuries and accidents, and support causes like Kom op Tegen Kanker.
Raised
since 2021
€ 503.963.14
Year after year, the proceeds are carefully donated to various organisations dedicated to giving children and young adults the opportunity to engage in sports in the broadest sense. This support extends not only to sports activities but also to initiatives that aid in their rehabilitation after injuries and accidents. Additionally, donations are made to charities such as Kom op Tegen Kanker (Stand Up to Cancer). In this way, we contribute to the well-being and health of our youth while supporting valuable community projects.
The 2025 action
#1
The auction
#2
Get Merci Poupou replica shirt
Love the look? Now you can own it. Replicas of the stunning
Merci Poupou jersey, created by Kalas, are available to purchase
- so you can ride in the same iconic design as the
Alpecin-Deceuninck team.
Even better? Every euro from your purchase goes directly to
Merci Poupou, supporting their mission and keeping the spirit of
cycling legend Raymond Poulidor alive.
#3
Limited-edition merchandising gear
To celebrate this special initiative, we have created an exclusive collection: a custom-designed Merci Poupou T-shirt, bold unique Zwift socks, and a retro-inspired training suit.
Poupou-
Larité
Raymond Poulidor (passed away on November 13th 2019 aged 83), was one of the greatest road cyclists of the 20th century and, while never winning the Tour de France, remained the French public's most beloved.
Poulidor started in the Tour de France 14 times, finished 11 and stood on the podium in Paris eight times, but never wore the yellow jersey, even not for one a day. His grandson, Mathieu van der Poel, made up for that during his first Tour de France participation in 2021 by winning the second stage and securing the yellow jersey on Mûr-de-Bretagne.
© L'Equipe/Presse Sports / Photo News/Fep/pano/psnewz
